Apparatus for continuously vulcanizing endless belts

ABSTRACT

A machine for simultaneously curing a plurality of elastomeric belts while passing over a heated rotary drum. The belts are individually uniformly tensioned by individually movable tension idlers each actuated by a separate fluid pressure actuated cylinder connected to a common source of predetermined fluid pressure. A separate endless metal band is provided for individually pressing each of the belts against the drum with the bands each passing over an individual movable tension idler similar to that used for the belts for maintaining each of the bands at a predetermined uniform tension.

United States Patent Spicer et al.

154] APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUSLY VULCANIZING ENDLESS BELTS [72]Inventors: Alvin W. Spicer, Cuyahoga Falls; Anselm Talalay, Cleveland,both of Ohio [73] Assignee: The B. F. Goodrich Company, New

York, NY.

[22] Filed: Sept. 21, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 73,731

[52] US. Cl. ..425/28, 425/384, 425/373 [51] Int. Cl. ..B29h 7/22 [58]Field ofSearch ..18/38, 2R,17B,6E,4B, 18/5 A, 6 V, 9, 26 RR, 20 R;264/165;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,152,204 10/1964 Sauer..18/6 E-X 2,093,922 9/ 1937 Meyer ..18/6 E Oct. 24, 1972 2,110,0763/1938 Bierer ..18/6 E 3,477,895 11/1969 Sauer ..18/6 E X 3,495,297 2/1970 Nagato ..18/6 E Primary Examiner-Robert L. Spicer, Jr. Attorney-W.A. Shira, Jr. and Joseph J. Januszkiewicz [57] ABSTRACT A machine forsimultaneously curing a plurality of elastomeric belts while passingover a heated rotary drum. The belts are individually uniformlytensioned by individually movable tension idlers each actuated by aseparate fluid pressure actuated cylinder connected to a common sourceof predetermined fluid pressure. A separate endless metal band isprovided for individually pressing each of the belts against the drumwith the bands each passing over an individual movable tension idlersimilar to that used for the belts for maintaining each of the bands ata predetermined uniform tension.

21 Claims,9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU I973 3.700.365

SHEET 1 0F 4 INVENTORS ALVIN W SPlcER ANSELM TALALAY 'TTY.

PATENTEU E 24 I97? 3. 700 365 SHEET 2 [1F 4 INVENTOKS ALVIN W. SPICERANSELM TALALAY 59 ur zk 7 58 )ZM'Y.

PATENTEnnmu I972 '3. 700.365

INVENTORS ALVIN W. SPICER FIG. 4 ANSELM TALALAY B T Y I APPARATUS FORCONTINUOUSLY VULCANIZING ENDLESS BELTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONvulcanization of large endless belts, formed of elastomeric materialwith cord reinforcement has commonly been performed by sequentialsegmental cure in a stationary vulcanizing press or mold. From time totime, attempts have been made to provide means a drum. continuouslycuring such belts while rotating over a drum. It has been thoughtdesirable to continuously cure belts in this manner in order to providea uniform vulcanization of the belt throughout its entire length. When abelt is cured in portions in a stationary mold or press, areas ofnon-uniform curing are formed in the regions of the belt that extendfrom the edges of the mold or press at each curing stage. This is theresult of advancing the belt after each curing cycle a distance lessthan the extent of the mold surface so that segments of the beltadjacent the edges of the mold are subjected to the vulcanization cyclemore than once and hence may be overcured.

Furthermore, it is quite difficult to fabricate an uncured elastomericbelt having uniform mass density per unit length; and, if identicalmechanical pressure and heat are applied to all portions of the lengthof the belt in a mold having a cavity of fixed physical dimensions,variations in the mass of the belt result in the mold or press providingdifferent curing conditions for different portions of the belt. Thus, athick, or large, cross section of the belt would be subjected to ahigher pressure by a fixed cavity mold or press and a thinner or smallercross section portion of the belt would be subjected to lessermechanical pressure. If the cross section of the belt is sufficientlysmall, it is possible that the belt will be vulcanized at aninsufficient pressure in the mold, or press cavity, to provide propercontrol of cured belt volume. Thus, it has been thought for some timethat belt quality would be improved by a more uniform application ofheat and pressure during cure.

Various types of apparatus have been previously proposed forsimultaneously continuously curing a plurality of endless belts undertension overa rotary drum. However, these devices have usually reliedfor application of tension to the belts upon a movable idler pulleyhaving a plurality of spaced co-axial grooves which rotate about acommon pulley axis. Thus, a plurality of belts could be curedsimultaneously on a single heated drum by urging the tension idlerpulley into contact with the inner periphery of the belts and stretchingthe belts as they passed over the drum. This technique, however, doesnot solve the fundamental problem of providing a means for curing theplurality of belts while each belt is subjected to a common uniformtension during the vulcanization of its entire length.. Thus, when asingle axis multiple-groove idler pulley is tensioned against theplurality of belts orbiting over a common curing drum duringvulcanization, variations in length of the belts result in the shorterbelts being subjected to a greater tension than the longer belts for agiven distance of the tension pulley from the center of the curing drum.

It has been also heretofore proposed to provide a pressure applying andheat insulating shoe or a single travelling band to press against theouter periphery of the belts as they pass over the curing drum in orderto provide the source of mechanical pressure on the belts while eachbelt is in contact with the curing drum. However, this is analogous tothe situation of curing the belt in segments in a stationary mold orpress having a cavity of fixed physical dimensions. This is becausevariations in the thickness of the axially adjacent belts will cause theradially thicker belts to be contacted by the pressure shoe or bandbefore adjacent belts of lesser radial height are contacted. Thus, thethicker belts will receive greater mechanical pressure while in contactwith the curing drum and the radially thinner belts will receive alesser mechanical pressure. Hence, the radially thinner belts mayreceive insufficient mechanical pressure to provide for properconsolidation of the belt components to effect uniform adhesion thereofand uniform shaping of the belt.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides asolution to the above-described problems of curing simultaneously aplurality of endless elastomeric belts. This is accomplished by passingthe plurality of belts simultaneously over a heated rotary drum whileeach belt is individually tensioned to a uniform tension and issubjected individually to a uniform mechanical pressure. The individualtensioning of thebelts is effected by a plurality of tension idlers witheach idler contacting, respectively, the inner periphery of one of thebelts to be cured. The tension idlers are individually radially moved bypower cylinders, all of which are connected to a common source ofpredetermined fluid pressure. While each belt is in contact with theheated curing drum, the outer periphery of the belt is contacted by anorbiting endless band of inextensible material, there being a separateband for each belt. Each of the bands also has a tension idler which isindividually radially movable. Preferably, the tension idler for eachband is radially movable by a power cylinder with the power cylindersall being connected to a common source of predetermined fluid pressurethereby providing a uniform common tension in all the bands.

Thus, each belt is individually subjected to a uniform and commontension as it orbits over the curing drum and is further individuallysubjected to a uniform and common mechanical curing pressure while it isin contact with the drum.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic sideelevation view of a rotary, endless belt curing machine embodying thisin vention and showing the belts as they orbit over the curing drum andthe idler' pulleys.

FIG. 1a is a side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale, .of the upperportion of the machine of FIG. 1 including the portions of the frontplate omitted in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a portion of a section, drawn to an enlarged scale, takenalong section indicating lines 4-4 of FIG. 1, and shows the details ofthe individually movable idlers for tensioning the belts.

showing the details of the distributor valving mechanism for heating andzone cooling the drum.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the presentlypreferred machine is mounted on suitable frame here shown as having abase 10 which comprises a rigid vertical plate 10a and a horizontalsupport plate 10b. A front supportplate 11, the upper portion of whichhas been omitted for clarity in FIG. 1, is provided, spaced from thevertical plate 10a, and disposed parallel thereto. A frame 12, attachedto the vertical plate 10a of base 10, serves to support the tensionidler pulleys for tensioning the belts to be cured. A rear plate 13extends vertically from the horizontal plate 10b of base 10, the rearplate 13 being arranged parallel to the vertical plate 10a A pair ofshaft-receiving bearings 14, 15 is provided in axially spacedarrangement, respectively, one on the rear plate 13 and one on verticalplate 10a. A shaft 21 is received through each of bearings and is freeto rotate therein. A curing drum is mounted on that end of the shaft 21which extends through the vertical plate 10a of the base 10 so that thedrum is in cantilevered arrangement from vertical plate 10a with itsaxis of rotation parallel to the horizontal plate 10b of base 10. Hence,the drum 20 rotates in a vertical plane. This arrangement has been foundconvenient to provide ready access to the belts, but it is to beunderstood that the drum may be arranged to rotate in a horizontal planeor in any convenient orientation with respect to the vertical plate 10aof the base 10. The drum 20 has a plurality of axially spaced concentricgrooves 20a formed therein for individually receiving the belts to becured as they pass over the drum, with the grooves being shaped so as toserve as a mold for the inner periphery and the sides of the belts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a chain drive, denoted by S incorporating asprocket and chain is provided on shaft 21 for rotating the drum 20continuously. A motor and driving sprocket assembly M are mounted on thehorizontal plate 10b and engage the driving chain for transmittingdriving power thereto. A pair of steam lines 22, 23, connected via arotary fitting (not shown in FIG. 2), is provided in the vertical plate100 opposite the drum for introducing steam therein under pressure.

A second pair of fluid transfer lines 24 and 25 is also provided andinterconnected via a rotary fitting (not shown in FIG. 2) to the drum 20for communicating fluid therethrough for zone cooling portions of thedrum as will be hereinafter described in detail.

A pair of spaced parallel guide rods 26, having mounting blocks 27respectively attached to the ends thereof, is mounted on a horizontaldeck plate 12a provided on frame 12. A sub-frame 28 is received on therods and is free to slide thereon. A toggle mechanism T is providedinterconnecting the sub-frame 28 and the deck plate 12a of the frame 12such that the sub-frame may be locked in position or quickly released toslide along the rods. The rods 26 are disposed with the longitudinaldirection of the rods parallel with the grooves 20a in the drum. Thus,the sub-frame slides toward or away from the curing drum by action ofthe toggle T.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, a slide block assembly 29 is securelyfastened to the sub-frame 28 so as to move therewith along the rods 26.A slide guide 30 is rigidly attached to the slide block assembly 29 soas to extend in horizontal cantilevered arrangement therefrom. The guide30 has a plurality of spaced parallel grooves 30a formed therein, witheach of the grooves being respectively aligned with one of the groovesin the rotating curing drum. A plurality of discs 31, each having a slotwith parallel sides 310 formed therein, are received respectively, onein each of the grooves 30a, such that the discs are disposed in spacedparallel arrangement extending vertically of the slide block assembly29, and slide freely ina horizontal direction in groove 30a. Each dischas a sleeve bearing 33 disposed about the outer periphery thereofwith-a pulley ring 32 received thereover such that the ring is free torotate about the disc. A sleeve bearing is illustrated in FIG. 4, but itwill be understood that any bearing arrangement may be used as, forexample, a ball or roller bearing assembly. Each of the rings 32 has abelt receiving groove 32a formed in the outer periphery thereof whichgroove has received therein one of the belts to be cured. In operation,when each disc 31 is slidably moved in the grooves 30a, the pulley ringcarried thereby is urged radially into contact with the inner peripheryof one of the belts to be cured.

A power cylinder 34, is provided for each disc and is attached to theslide guide 30. Each cylinder has a piston rod 34a extending therefromand each rod has an end fitting 34b. A second slot 31b is provided,respectively, in each of the discs 31 with one of the rod fittings 34breceived in each of the said second slots 31b. The slot 31b is closelyspaced adjacent the closed end of slot 31a. Each of the power cylinders34 has a fluid pressure port 34c provided thereon, the ports 34c on eachcylinder being-connected to a common pressure manifold 35 forsimultaneous introduction of a predetermined fluid pressure into thepower cylinders 34.

In operation, fluid pressure is introduced into the pressure manifold35, and consequently into each of the power cylinders 34, causing thepiston. rods 34a to extend, thus urging the discs 31 slidably along thegrooves 30a such that the pulley rings 32 contact, individually, thebelts to be cured. Referring now specifically to FIG. 5, the relaxed, orunpressurized, position of the discs and pulleys is shown in solidoutline with the pressurized, or belt tensioning, position being shownin phantom outline. It should be noted that when fluid pressure isintroduced and maintained in manifold 35, movement of each of the discs31 on the slide 30, due to the force of the fluid pressure acting in therespective power cylinders attached to that particular disc is resistedby the tension in the belt contacted by the ring mounted on the disc.Thus, if constant pressure is maintained in manifold 35, the severaldiscs on the slide will individually move until the force applied byeach power cylinder is balanced by the tension force of the belt on thecorresponding belt ring so that each belt is maintained under the sametension regardless of variations in belt length. In the presentlypreferred practice of the invention, fluid pressure for the cylinders isprovided by a hydraulic pump (not shown).

In the presently preferred form of the invention, a stationary idlerpulley P, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, having a plurality of axially spacedconcentric belt guiding grooves, is rotatably mounted on vertical platea. The pulley- P is preferably positioned so as to to maintain the beltsin a horizontal arrangement as they'leave the drum grooves.

Referring now to FIG, 2, 3 and 3a, a plurality of endless bands 40 ofsubstantially inextensible material, preferably metal, is provided withthe bands each respectively passing over one of the individual tensionidler pulleys 41 and and over a pair of spaced idler pulleys 42 and 43each of which has a plurality of concentric axially spaced grooves 42aand 430 respectively formed thereon. The individual tension idlerpulleys 41 are similar in construction and the manner in which they areslidably mounted to thoseprovided for tensioning the belts. Thus, eachof the tension idler pulleys 41 is rotatably mounted upon a slidable butnot rotatable disc that has a power cylinder attached thereto, similarto those illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 for the belt tension idlers, formaintaining the individual pulleys at a constant tension force against,respectively, each of the bands 40. Each of the bands 40 thus orbitsover the tension idler pulleys 41 and the pair of spaced idler pulleys42 and 43, with the outer periphery of each band contacting respectivelyone of the belts as it passes over the drum 20. The pulleys 42 and 43are disposed in closely spaced relationship to the outer periphery ofthe drum diametrically opposed of the drum when the pulleys are in theband tensioning position. In the presently preferred form of theapparatus, the pulleys 42 and 43 are, respectively, disposed verticallybelow and above the center of the drum. However, the choice oflocationof the idlers 42 and 43 is governed by the desired arcuate length ofbands to be held in contact with the outer periphery of the belts asthey pass over the drum 20. The tension idler pulleys 41 are disposed inspaced relationship from the drum vertically intermediate pulley 42 andthe center of the drum. The tension idler pulleys 41 are each slidablymounted on a block assembly similar to that provided for the belttension idler pulleys as mentioned above, which block assembly isrigidly attached to the vertical plate 10a and front plate 11 anddisposed between the plates.

The upper idler pulley 43 is rotatably mounted on the upper ends of apair of spaced parallel pivot arms 44 pivotably mounted intermediate theends, by a common pivot 51, to the vertical plate 10a and front plate11. The upper end of each of the two pivot arms 44 has a bifurcatedportion 44a for receiving the pulley shaft therein.

The upper idler pulley 43 is rotated in a yoke 45, with each end ofpulley shaft extending through the yoke 45 and with the ends of theshaft slidably received in the bifurcated portion 44a of, respectively,each one of the pivot arms 44. The yoke 45 is formed generally inU-shaped configuration with the open ends thereof extending toward thepivot portion of the arms 44 and with the spaced ends of the yoke beingtransversely connected by a bar 46 illustrated in FIGS. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3a, a pair of guide plates 47, each having a slot 470formed therein, is attached, respectively, one each to the arms 44 withthe slot 47a of each plate parallel to the upper longitudinal surface ofthe respective pivot arm 44. The bar 46, being disposed to slidelongitudinally of the pivot arms thereof, is received in the slots 47a.Each of the arms 44 has a lug portion 48 extending therefrom with eachlug portion longitudinally aligned with respect to an adjacent one ofthe slots 47a and having an aperture formed therein with a guide rod 49received therethrough. The guide rods 49 each are free to slide in thelugs 48 in a direction parallel to the arms 44. Each of the guide rods49 has a compression spring 50 received concentrically thereover whichis compressed longitudinally between the lug 48 and the transverse bar46.

In operation, the compression springs'50 urge the bar 46 and, hence, theyoke 45 away from the lugs 48 with the shaft for the tension idlerpulleys 43 sliding in the bifurcated portions 44a in the direction awayfrom the pivotal mounting of arms 44. The arrangement of the idlerpulley 43, when the bands 40 are tensioned, is shown in solid lines inFIG. 3a and is shown in phantom outline for the condition when the bands40 are not tensioned. In the open or untensioned position, thecompression springs 50 maintain a residual tension on the bands toprevent excessive slack.

Referring now to FIG. 3, each of the arms 44 is mounted on pin 51pivoted on the base in such a manner that the pulley 43, when moved toand from band tensioning position, subscribes an arc in a plane parallelto the vertical plate 10a. A gear drive 52, which is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,- engages a gear (not shown) attached to the pivot pin 51for rotating the arms 44. The gear drive assembly 52 is mounted on thefront plate 11 and is actuated by turning a crank 53 attached thereto.Pivot pin 51 passes through the vertical plate 10a and through the frontplate 1 1, thereby forming a pivot axis for the pair of arms 44. Each ofthe arms 44 has a portion 44b extending from the pivot in generallyopposite direction from the portion of the arm to which the pulley 43 isattached, which portions 44b each have a pivot pin 54 receivedtherethrough. A pair of second pivot arms 55 are disposed in spacedparallel arrangement and are free to pivot on a pivot pin 56 extendingthrough the arms intermediate the ends thereof which pin has itsopposite ends connected respectively one to the vertical plate 10a andthe other end to front plate 11. Each of the arms 55 has a bifurcatedportion 55a formed on the upper end thereof adjacent the end 44b of arms44. The pivot pin 54, connecting the ends 44a of arms 44', is receivedin the bifurcated portion 55a of each of the lower set of arms 55 suchthat pivotal motion of the upper pair of arms 44 causes pin 54 to slidein the bifurcated portion 55a thereby causing pivotal motion of thelower set of arms 55. The lower idler pulley 42 is rotatably mounted onthe ends of arms 55 opposite the bifurcated end 55a, with the pulley 42being disposed between the arms.

In operation, when the crank 53 is turned, the gear drive rotates a gear(not shown) attached to the pivot pin 51 and thus rotates arm 44 therebycausing the pin 54 to move in the bifurcated portion 55a of the arms 55thus rotatingv arms 55 about pivot pins 56 and consequently the idlerpulley 42 toward or away from drum 20. Referring again specifically toFIG. 3, the position of the pivot arms 44 and 55, respectively, andidler pulleys 43 and 42 is shown in solid outline where the pulleys arein closely spaced relationship with the drum. In the relaxed position,the pulleys are widely spaced from the drum as illustrated in FIG. 3 bythe phantom outline.

The endless bands 40, as previously mentioned, pass over the tensionidler pulleys 41 and over the idler pulleys 42 and 43 in such a mannerthat when the arms 44 and 45 are moved, so as to urge idler pulleys 42and 43 into position so as to be closely spaced from the drum, theendless bands 40 are tensioned over the drum with the outer periphery ofthe portion of each band between pulleys 42 and 43 contacting the outerperiphery respectively of one each of the belts being cured as it passesover the drum. The pivot arms 44 and 45 are secured in the bandtensioning position with the pulleys 42 and 43, respectively, closelyadjacent the drum 20, by a locking bar 57 which is illustrated in FIGS.la, 3 and 6. The locking bar 57 is pivotably mounted on a U-shapedbracket 58 attached to each of the pivot arms 44 near the end portionsthereof. The upper portion of the front plate 11 has a slot 11a formedtherein which slot receives one end of the locking bar 57 therein whenthe arms 44 are in the position for tensioning the bands 40 against thebelts to be cured. A locking block 59 is attached to the face of thevertical plate 10a and is contacted by the remaining end of the lockingbar 57 when the bar is engaged in the slot 11a in the front plate.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, the locking bar is shown in solidoutline in the locked position and in phantom outline in the unlockedposition. When the pivot arms 44 and 55 are locked into position withthe idler pulleys 42 and 43 closely adjacent drum 20, the predeterminedpressure is then applied to a manifold, similar to the manifold 35 fortensioning the belts, and, hence, to each one of a group of the powercylinders provided for moving the tension idler pulleys 41 against theinner periphery of the endless bands. Thus, each of the bands is drawntaut over the pulleys with the outer periphery of each of the bandspressing against one of the belts on the drum. While the predeterminedfluid pressure is applied to the manifold, the bands are maintainedindividually to the desired uniform level of tension. As the drum isrotated by sprocket drive S, the frictional contact of each of theendless bands 40 against the outer periphery of respectively each of thebelts, causes each band to.orbit over the pulleys 42 and 43 and thetension idler pulleys 41 so that the endless bands 40 continuouslycontact and exert pressure upon the outer surfaces of the belts as theypass over the drum 20.

The sizes of the hydraulic cylinders for the tension idler pulleys 41and the speed of the rotation of the drum 20 are determined by therequirements for the vulcanization of any particular type of belt. Byway of example, but without limitation thereto, it has been found that,when simultaneously curing four V-belts of the type known in the art andtrade as C section No. size, it has been found that hydraulic cylindersand pulley spacing chosen to give 80 pounds per square inch surfacepressure of the bands against the belts has proven quite satisfactory.If desired, more or less than four belts may be cured simultaneously byproviding the appropriate number of bands, pulleys and drum grooves. Itwill be also understood that the arrangement of the pulleys and thetension in the belts and endless bands may be varied from those shownand specifically described. Although the apparatus is illustrated, forconvenience, with the belts and bands wrapping around the drum-an arc ofthe pulleys and associated structure may be such that a drum wrap ofmore or less than 180 is provided.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an insulated shoe 60 is illustrated which hasbeen provided in close proximity but not contacting the radially outersurface of the endless bands 40 as they are tensioned against the drum20. The shoe serves to reduce undesirable cooling of the bands duringthe curing and if desirable, external means (not illustrated) may beprovided for heating the shoe. In the preferred practice of theinvention, the insulator shoe is divided into two segments, 60a and 60b,with one segment 60a rigidly attached to pivot arm 55 and the otherportion pivotally attached at one end to the arms 44. The insulator shoesegments are moved into a position so as to not contact the endlessbands but reside in close proximity thereto when the arms are locked inthe tensioning position, as shown in solid outline in FIG. 3, and pivotaway from the bands when the arms are in the relaxed position, asillustrated in phantom outline in FIG. 3. If it is desired to providecontact and contact pressure for the insulating shoe segments againstthe endless bands 40, any convenient force actuator device as, forexample, mechanical clamps or power cylinders, may be employed to pressthe insulator shoes tightly against the bands. The insulator shoes arepreferably made of a material to permit the orbiting bands 40 to slideeasily under the shoe segments.

A telescoping guard 61 is provided for the bands 40 in the presentlypreferred apparatus, with one end pivotally attached to each of the arms44 closely adjacent the bifurcated portion 44a thereon. The guard hasthe other end pivotally attached to the vertical plate 10a of base 10such that the guard is extended when the argns are locked in the tensionposition and is telescoped longitudinally when arms are in the openposition as illustrated in FIG. 3, respectively, by solid and phantomlines.

In operation, it has been found desirable to chill the terminal zone ofthe belt curing arc of the drum in order to cool the portion of thebelts being cured just prior to leaving the region in which they aresubjected to mechanical pressure by the bands 40.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 7, the drum 20 is shown broken awayto expose the plurality of arcuate segments 20b provided on theperiphery thereof with the respective circurnferentially adjacent edgesof the segments 20 having complementary interfitting portions 20c suchthat the segments 20b form a continuous ring about the periphery of thedrum. Each of the arcuate segments 20b has at least one, and preferablya plurality, of fluid-receiving chambers 20d extending axiallytherethrough with the individual chambers 20d closed at one end with theremaining end communicating with a common manifold 20e extendingperipherally along the axial edge of each arcuate segment 20b. Ifdesired, each of the manifolds 202 may be formed integrally with therespective adjacent segment 20b. Each manifold has at least one andpreferably two transfer tubes 70 and 71 communicating therewith for thetransfer of fluid thereto.

The drum has a central rotor plate 72 provided on the axis thereof,which plate is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the drum and ismounted thereon so as to rotate with the drum by separate mounting means(not shown). The rotor plate 72 has a plurality of pairs of transferport holes 73 and 74 formed therein such that one hole of each pair isradially inward of the other hole.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the preferred means of heating and zonechilling the drum is illustrated as including a rotary fluid valve 80provided on the end of the drum axis for providing cooling fluid to aportion of the drum 20 during its rotation and heating fluid to theremainder of the drum. A stationary valve plate 81 is mounted closelyadjacent the end of the drum on the face of vertical plate a with theplane of the plate perpendicular to the drum axis, the plate beingdisposed concentrically about the drum shaft 21 and attached to thevertical plate 10a. The stationary plate 81 has at least two pairs ofconcentric arcuate blind slots formed on theinner face thereof with eachhaving a port (not shown) communicating with the outer face of theplate. Pairs of fluid supply hoses 22, 23 and 24, 25, respectively, areconnected one to each port for supplying cooling fluid to and from onepair of slots for cooling and heating fluid to the other pair of slots.Each pair of slots is formed so as to subtend thesame central angle ofdrum rotation with the pairs spaced and staggered peripherally so as toprovide the desired porting. The are subtended by one pair of slots 81aand 81b is chosen to provide fluid transfer for the desired amount ofdrum rotation for cooling as determined by the requirements for curing aparticular type of belt and extend peripherally for an arc of generallyThe are subtended by the other pair of slots 81c and 81d extendscontinuously the remainder of the drum periphery for transfer of heatingfluid to the majority of the drum periphery. In the presently preferredpractice, the plate 81 is oriented such that one pair of slots 81a and81b are positioned so as to transfer fluid to the portion of the drumrotating through the terminal 15 of contact with the orbiting bands 40.

Thus, as the drum rotates, each pair of port holes 73 and 74 passrespectively so as to communicate with respectively the pair of slots81a, 81b and 81c, 81d, thereby permitting fluid transfer to therespective portions of the drum periphery. The radially inward ends ofeach pair of transfer tubes 70, 71 from each of the manifolds e arerespectively connected to respectively one of each pair of port holes 73and 74. In operation, as the drum rotates, coolingfluid under pressureis supplied at either of the supply hoses 22,23 and upon alignment ofports 73, 74 with pair of slots 81a, 81b, cooling fluid is transferredto respectively one of the manifolds 20a and returns through the othertransfer tube, arcuate slots and supply hose, respectively.

Similarly, alignment of any of the transfer tubes with slots 81c, 81dwill permit transfer of heating fluid, supplied to hoses 24, 25 to therespective manifolds 20e. It will be understood that suitable rotaryface sealing ring seals (not shown) rare provided between adjacent facesof stationary plate 81 and rotor plate 72 to form fluid pressure tighttransfer chambers between the plates 81 and 72. In the presentlypreferred practice, seal rings of materials such as Teflon and nylon areused, but other suitable materials may be used. Thus, as the drumrotates, cooling fluid is supplied continuously to a desired portion ofthe drum coincident with a portion of the drum periphery at a fixedposition with respect to the frame of the apparatus. As mentioned above,this latter rotary distributor valve arrangement permits heating themajority of the periphery of the drum and simultaneously continuous zonechilling of a smaller arcuate segment of the drum for cooling of aportion of the belt being cured just before leaving the region of thedrum where it is subjected to mechanical pressure by the orbiting bands40.

For the curing operation, the arms 55 and 44 are released to the openedposition such that the bands 40 are not in contact with the drum. Theuncured belts B are then installed over the drum 20, stationary idlerpulleys P and belt tension idler pulleys 32. The arms 44 and 55 are thenmoved to the closed position by turning crank 53 to bring the bands 40into contact with the belts over the drum, locking arm 57 is engaged andtoggle T is closed to lock the belt tensioning mechanism. Fluid pressureis then applied to the respective manifolds respectively connected topower cylinders for moving the belt and band tension idlers 41 and 32respectively for tensioning the belts B and bands 40. Heating fluid isintroduced through tubes 24 and 25 .to heat the drum. The motor drive Mis activated when the drum is at the desired temperature and the drum isrotated continuously and cooling fluid is circulated through tubes 22and 23 for zone chilling the terminal zone of the belt curing on thedrum. When the entire length of the belt has been passed under the bands40, the fluid pressure is released from the power cylinders actuatingthe belt and band tension idler pulleys 41 and 32 respectively therebyreleasing the tension on the belts and the bands. Toggle T is thenreleased and crank 53 rotated to move the band supporting arms 44 and 55to the open position thus releasing the cured belts for removal from thedrum.

The invention thus provides an apparatus for curing simultaneously aplurality of endless elastomeric belts while the belts are orbiting overa rotating drum. The belts are individually tensioned to a predeterminedcommon tension by individually movable, or articulating, tension idlerpulleys. A plurality of endless bands of inextensible material areprovided with each band respectively tensioned to contact and orbitagainst the belts as they pass over the curing drum. The bands are alsotensioned by individually movable tension idler pulleys similar to thoseused for tensioning the belts. Although a common fluid pressure isprovided to the power cylinders for tensioning the bands and the belts,it is noted that the bands and belts may be tensioned individually byseparate fluid pressure sources rather than a common manifold, or byseparate mechanical force actuators.

Other modifications and adaptations of the invention will be apparent tothose having ordinary skill in the art and the invention limited only bythe spirit and scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for vulcanizing a plurality of endless elastomeric beltscomprising:

a. heated mold means including a member having a plurality of recessesadapted to simultaneously receive portions of each of said beltsrespectively in one of said recesses and a plurality of presser meanseach having a portion thereof supported for releasable contact with oneof said belts while same are in said recesses;

b. means operatively connected to said presser means in a manner causingthe latter to exert a predetermined common force upon the portion ofeach belt contacted thereby;

c. a plurality of means for individually tensioning each of said beltsto a common tension while in contact with said mold means; and

d. means for advancing successive portions of each of said belts to andfrom contact with said mold means.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said belt tensioning meansincludes:

a. a plurality of pulleys each having the outer periphery thereofrotatable about its axis adapted to contact the inner periphery of oneof the belts to be vulcanized,

b. an individual support for the rotational axis of each pulley mountedfor movement perpendicularly of the axis, and

c. a plurality of actuators each including a movable operative portionconnected respectively to each of the said movable supports to effectindividual movement thereof.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein each of said actuators isfluid-pressure operated and is connected to a common source of fluidpressure.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein a. each of said movablesupports comprises a slidably mounted plate portion, and

b. each of said pulleys comprises an annular peripheral ring rotatablymounted on said slidable plate with a belt-receiving groove on the outerperiphery of the ring.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said actuators each comprisefluid pressure actuator having a movable portion and each of the saidmovable portions is connected respectively to one of the said slidableplates.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein each of said fluid pressureactuators is connected to a common source of fluid pressure.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein:

said means for exerting a force on said presser means includesindividual portions thereon, each operatively connected respectively toone of said presser means.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said presser means areindividually movable and said means for exerting a force on each of saidpresser means includes separately operative means for each of saidpresser means operative for adjustment of the pressure exerted upon thebelt contacted thereby.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein:

a. said member of said mold means includes a rotatable drum theperiphery of which has a plurality of circumferential groovesconstituting said recesses, and

. each of said presser means is an endless bands of substantiallyinextensible material each mounted to orbit in a path a portion of whichis arcuate and concentric with a part of the periphery of said drum witheach of said bands contacting and exerting pressure on one of the beltsbeing vulcanized while the latter is in contact with said drum.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising means to moveeach of said bands simultaneously to and from belt-contacting positions.

11. The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein said drum includes meansfor sequentially heating and cooling portions of said drum during apredetermined arc of drum rotation.

12. The apparatus defined in claim 1 1 wherein:

a. said drum includes a plurality of arcuate fluidreceiving chambersformed therein spaced adjacent the periphery thereof with a portcommunicating with each of said chambers;

b. said heating and cooling means includes fluid source meanssequentially connectable to each of said ports for selectivelycirculating heating and cooling fluid through each of said chambers.

13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said fluid source meanscomprises distribution valve means including a non-rotatable portionmounted concentric with the axis of said drum.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said drum includes: aplurality of arcuately extending segments having the circumferentiallyadjacent edges thereof interconnected with each segment having at leastone of said fluid receiving chambers formed therein.

15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein each of said segments hasa plurality of individual fluid chambers formed therein with a commonmanifold provided thereon communicating with each of said chambers andwith one of said port means provided in each of said manifolds.

16. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the said means connectedto said presser means comprises:

a. plurality of pulleys each having the outer periphery thereof incontact with the interior of one of said bands;

b. an individual support for the rotational axis of each pulley movableperpendicular to the axis thereof; and

c. means to individually move each pulley support.

17. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said means forindividually moving said pulley supports comprises a separate fluidpressure actuator for each said pulley support with each actuatorincluding a movable portion connected respectively to one each to thesaid movable supports.

18. The apparatus defined in claim 17 wherein each of the said fluidpressure actuators is connected to a common source of fluid pressure.

19. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said means to move saidbands simultaneously includes:

a. two sets of band-supporting pulleys;

,..o, 1 b. means mounting said sets of pulleys for movement 20. Theapparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein to and from locations adjacentsaid drum with one a. each of the said pulley supports comprises a setof pulleys arcuately spaced about the drum siidably mounted plateportion; and from the other so thatwhen the said sets of pulleys 63911of said P y Comprises l r are adjacent the drum portions of the bandsare in 5 p p f 11118 rotatably {mounted 581d ble pressure-applyingcontact with the belts on said P with a banfi'fecelvmg groove the Outerdrum; and P p y the 8- c. means operably connected to each of said setsof The apparatus clfum 9 further pulleys for simultaneously moving thesaid sets Pnsmg Power means for mung 531d drum toward or away from saiddrum. 1O

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,70 ,35 Dated October 24, 1972 Invent0r(S) Alvin W. Snicer and It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 9 and 10, delete "a drum! and insert ----for---. Column10, line 5, "rare" should read "--a-Ie-'--u Signed and sealed this 6thday of March 1973.

(SEAL) Attest: V

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents USCOMM'DC 60375-P69 U,Sv GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I9? O'!66-334 F ORM PO-105O (10-69)

1. An apparatus for vulcanizing a plurality of endless elastomeric belts comprising: a. heated mold means including a member having a plurality of recesses adapted to simultaneously receive portions of each of said belts respectively in one of said recesses and a plurality of presser means each having a portion thereof supported for releasable contact with one of said belts while same are in said recesses; b. means operatively connected to said presser means in a manner causing the latter to exert a predetermined common force upon the portion of each belt contacted thereby; c. a plurality of means for individually tensioning each of said belts to a common tension while in contact with said mold means; and d. means for advancing successive portions of each of said belts to and from contact with said mold means.
 2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said belt tensioning means includes: a. a plurality of pulleys each having the outer periphery thereof rotatable about its axis adapted to contact the inner periphery of one of the belts to be vulcanized, b. an individual support for the rotational axis of each pulley mounted for movement perpendicularly of the axis, and c. a plurality of actuators each including a movable operative portion connected respectively to each of the said movable supports to effect individual movement thereof.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein each of said actuators is fluid-pressure operated and is connected to a common source of fluid pressure.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein a. each of said movable supports comprises a slidably mounted plate portion, and b. each of said pulleys comprises an annular peripheral ring rotatably mounted on said slidable plate with a belt-receiving groove on the outer periphery of the ring.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said actuators each comprise fluid pressure actuator having a movable portion and each of the said movable portions is connected respectively to one of the said slidable plates.
 6. The apparatus defined in claim 5 wherein each of said fluid pressure actuators is connected to a common source of fluid pressure.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein: said means for exerting a force on said presser means includes individual portions thereon, each operatively connected respectively to one of said presser means.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said presser means are individually movable and said means for exerting a force on each of said presser means includes separately operative means for each of said presser means operative for adjustment of the pressure exerted upon the belt contacted thereby.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein: a. said member of said mold means includes a rotatable drum the periphery of which has a plurality of circumferential grooves constituting said recesses, and b. each of said presser means is an endless bands of substantially inextensible material each mounted to orbit in a path a portion of which is arcuate and concentric with a part of the periphery of said drum with each of said bands contacting and exerting pressure on one of the belts being vulcanized while the latter is in contact with said drum.
 10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 further comprising means to move each of said bands simultaneously to and from belt-contacting positions.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 9 wherein said drum includes means for sequentially heating and cooling portions of said drum during a predetermined arc of drum rotation.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 11 wherein: a. said drum includes a plurality of arcuate fluid-receiving Chambers formed therein spaced adjacent the periphery thereof with a port communicating with each of said chambers; b. said heating and cooling means includes fluid source means sequentially connectable to each of said ports for selectively circulating heating and cooling fluid through each of said chambers.
 13. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said fluid source means comprises distribution valve means including a non-rotatable portion mounted concentric with the axis of said drum.
 14. The apparatus defined in claim 12 wherein said drum includes: a plurality of arcuately extending segments having the circumferentially adjacent edges thereof interconnected with each segment having at least one of said fluid receiving chambers formed therein.
 15. The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein each of said segments has a plurality of individual fluid chambers formed therein with a common manifold provided thereon communicating with each of said chambers and with one of said port means provided in each of said manifolds.
 16. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein the said means connected to said presser means comprises: a. plurality of pulleys each having the outer periphery thereof in contact with the interior of one of said bands; b. an individual support for the rotational axis of each pulley movable perpendicular to the axis thereof; and c. means to individually move each pulley support.
 17. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said means for individually moving said pulley supports comprises a separate fluid pressure actuator for each said pulley support with each actuator including a movable portion connected respectively to one each to the said movable supports.
 18. The apparatus defined in claim 17 wherein each of the said fluid pressure actuators is connected to a common source of fluid pressure.
 19. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein said means to move said bands simultaneously includes: a. two sets of band-supporting pulleys; b. means mounting said sets of pulleys for movement to and from locations adjacent said drum with one set of pulleys arcuately spaced about the drum from the other so that when the said sets of pulleys are adjacent the drum portions of the bands are in pressure-applying contact with the belts on said drum; and c. means operably connected to each of said sets of pulleys for simultaneously moving the said sets toward or away from said drum.
 20. The apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein a. each of the said pulley supports comprises a slidably mounted plate portion; and b. each of said pulleys comprises an annular peripheral ring rotatably mounted on said slidable plate with a band-receiving groove on the outer periphery of the ring.
 21. The apparatus defined in claim 9 further comprising power means for rotating said drum. 